MODULAR QUICK-CONNECT A/V SYSTEM AND METHODS THEREOF

• US 20160269812A1
• Filed: 05/20/2016
• Published: 09/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonic Blocks, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonic Blocks, Inc.
• Inventors: Wilker, Scott D., Wilker, Jordan D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,794,679 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/22 Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialogue
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/02 Casings; Cabinets ; Supports therefor; Mountings therein H04R1/28 takes precedence ; attachments for microphones H04R1/08; mounting of transducers in earpieces H04R1/1075
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/026 Supports for loudspeaker casings
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/08 Mouthpieces; Microphones; Attachments therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/2803 for loudspeaker transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/323 for loudspeakers H04R1/34 and H04R1/40 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/403 loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/028 Structural combinations of loudspeakers with built-in power amplifiers, e.g. in the same acoustic enclosure H04R2499/10 takes precedence; Single (sub)woofer with two or more satellite loudspeakers for mid- and high-frequency band reproduction driven via the (sub)woofer H04R2205/026
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2227/003 Digital PA systems using, e.g. LAN or internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/09 Applications of special connectors, e.g. USB, XLR, in loudspeakers, microphones or headphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/15 Transducers incorporated in visual displaying devices, e.g. televisions, computer displays, laptops
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 27/00 Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/04 for correcting frequency response

Abstract

A modular speaker system, comprising an exoskeleton, configured to mechanically support and quick attach and release at least one functional panel and an electrical interface provided within the exoskeleton, configured to mate with a corresponding electrical connector of the functional panel. An optional endoskeleton is provided to support internal components. The system preferably provides a digital electronic controller, and the electrical interface is a digital data and power bus, with multiplexed communications between the elements of the system. The elements of the system preferably include at least one speaker, and other audiovisual and communications components. Multiple modules may be interconnected, communicating through the electrical interface. A base module may be provided to provide power and typical control, user and audiovisual interface connectors.

Claims

1. A modular speaker system, comprising:

an exoskeleton, configured to mechanically support and quick attach and release at least one functional panel;

a corresponding electrical interface provided within the exoskeleton for each respective functional panel, configured to mate with a corresponding electrical connector of each respective functional panel; and

an electrical bus electrically connected to the electrical interface, and configured to communicate signals through the electrical interface from each corresponding electrical connector to at least one of a signal source and a signal sink.

2. The modular speaker system according to claim 1, wherein the electrical interface provides regulated electrical power to operate the at least one functional panel.

3. The modular speaker system according to claim 1, wherein the electrical interface communicates an analog signal.

4. The modular speaker system according to claim 1, wherein the electrical interface communicates a point-to-point digital communication signal.

5. The modular speaker system according to claim 1, wherein the electrical interface communicates a digital packet data network communication signal.

6. The modular speaker system according to claim 1, further comprising the at least one functional module, the at least one functional module comprising an acoustic speaker.

7. The modular speaker system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one functional module comprises a speaker, the modular speaker system comprising an audio amplifier configured to power the speaker.

8. The modular speaker system according to claim 7, wherein the at least one functional speaker module comprises a digital memory storing at least one of an audio profile and an identifier associated with an audio profile accessible through the electrical interface, further comprising an automated processor configured to read the digital memory, and produce a control signal for the at least one functional speaker module selectively dependent on the audio profile.

9. The modular speaker system according to claim 7, further comprising an automated digital processor, configured to receive a digital audio signal, read a respective audio configuration profile or identifier of a respective audio configuration profile from a memory within each of at least two functional speaker modules, and optimally control each of the at least two functional speaker modules in dependence on at least the received digital audio signal and each of the respective audio configuration profiles.

10. The modular speaker system according to claim 1, wherein the exoskeleton has a rectangular prismatic form factor, and is configured to support at least four functional panels, and being configured to interface with a power supply through the electrical interface.

11. A method of operating a modular audio system, comprising:

providing an exoskeleton, configured to mechanically support and quick attach and release at least one functional panel, the at least one functional panel having at least one audio transducer;

communicating through a corresponding electrical interface provided within the exoskeleton for each respective functional panel, mating with a corresponding electrical connector of each respective functional panel; and

communicating signals through an electrical bus electrically connected to the electrical interface, from each corresponding electrical connector to at least one of a signal source and a signal sink.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the electrical interface provides regulated electrical power to operate the at least one functional panel.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the electrical interface communicates power, and both a digital signal and a corresponding analog signal.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the electrical interface communicates a digital packet data network communication signal.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one functional module comprises an acoustic speaker and a memory storing at least one of an stored audio profile and an identifier of a stored audio profile, further comprising retrieving the stored audio profile, and converting a digital audio signal into a power analog audio signal to operate the acoustic speaker, in dependence on the stored audio profile.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one functional module comprises a plurality of acoustic speakers and a plurality of memories storing at least one of an stored audio profile and an identifier of a stored audio profile for each respective acoustic speaker, further comprising retrieving the stored audio profiles, and converting a digital audio signal into a power analog audio signal to operate each respective acoustic speaker, in dependence on the stored audio profiles.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein the exoskeleton has a rectangular prismatic form factor, and is configured to support at least four functional panels, further comprising supplying power from the exoskeleton to the at least four functional panels through the electrical interface.

18. A method of operating a modular audio system, comprising:

attaching at least one functional panel to a frame configured to mechanically support and quick attach and release the at least one functional panel, at least one of the at least one functional panels having at least one audio transducer and an associated memory storing first parameters of a first frequency response of the at least one audio transducer;

communicating an electrical signal from an electrical network, through a corresponding electrical interface provided within the frame for each respective functional panel, mating with a corresponding electrical connector of each respective functional panel, the electrical signal representing an audio signal modified in dependence on the first parameters of the first frequency response;

reproducing an audio representation of the audio signal modified in dependence on the first parameters of the first frequency response; and

receiving a voice command through a microphone array within the modular audio system, to control said reproducing.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

replacing at least one of the at least one functional panel with a different type of electrical panel having at least one audio transducer and an associated memory storing second parameters of a second frequency response of the at least one audio transducer; and

communicating an electrical signal from the electrical network, through the corresponding electrical interface provided within the frame for each respective functional panel, mating with the corresponding electrical connector of each respective functional panel, the electrical signal representing an audio signal modified in dependence on the second parameters of the second frequency response.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the at least one functional panel comprises a plurality of interchangeable acoustic speaker elements, each having a differing frequency response, and wherein an automated digital processor selectively controls a respective electrical signal to each of the plurality of interchangeable acoustic speaker elements to provide an optimized composite acoustic emission dependent on the differing frequency responses.